Garage didn't tighten wheel nuts

[Paddyposh]

Hey

just wondering where I stand here

partners car needed 3 new tyres, the garage only had two so they put them on the back and moved the other worn one to the front. Today she was driving down the motorway and car was making a loud noise and juddering. Ended up calling the RAC and they said that the one they put on the front was loose as the garage hadn't tightened the nuts properly. Obviously if she had carried on not knowing she could have been killed with my kids in the car.

On top of that they didn't put the space saver back in the boot either!

Am I within my rights to request a refund of the 2 tyres due to this, and insist upon them replacing the remaining bad one for free?

The RAC chap emailed us the findings and stated that they hadn't done the wheel up correctly.

Bar getting angry with them for their incompetence and dangerous workmanship, is that a fair request or how would you handle it?

Cheers
Pat

 

[Pinky1959]

I would get advice from a solicitor as I don't think you would be entitled to compensation in respect of this even though it could have had severe consequences but it may be worth suggesting due to the inconvenience you have been put to having to call RAC and going back to get spare wheel.
If it is a big company I would get in touch with the CEO and complain bitterly and I would be investigating if the wheel being not tightened could have caused any damage to the car for the future eg bearings etc.
I would not mention it to the mechanic when you collect the wheel as you are contacting the ceo. and don't prewarn them .

 

[scobie140]

If its any sort of semi decent garage you'll probably find on the receipt or paperwork for the work done it will tell you to check your wheel nuts after a few miles.

 

[paddy]

I had the front end on my A3 rebuilt after a smash years ago and when i got it back it drove ok locally but when i took it on the motorway i found i would reach a speed (70+) and i couldn't keep it in lane it was so bad...
That turned out to the whole suspension one side lose including shock, wishbone etc where the guy had put it all together, prob gone to lunch and never torqed anything up. And that was the insurance chosen repairer.
when i went back to pick it up the 2nd time i found the oil filler cap missing and the radiator lose.

 

[Alistair D]

As said, take your complaint along with the RAC findings to the CEO directly, there maybe an "offer of goodwill" ,but I doubt you will get a full refund.

 

[Evil Derboy]

The answer to your question is “no”. You’re not entitled to anything.

What could have happened is not the same as what did happen.

 

[Paddyposh]

Surely they must be accountable for slack workmanship, something as simple as making sure wheel nuts are in correctly, no?

I will try the CEO still

 

[DPM]

How many miles was it since collecting the car?

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[Paddyposh]

Not many, 50 maybe

I spoke to the manager at the garage and he apologised and offered us a free tyre for the one which needs replacing.

Better than nothing

 

[Bryant1998]

The answer to your question is “no”. You’re not entitled to anything.

What could have happened is not the same as what did happen.

That’s insane? So in your eyes ‘attempted murder’ shouldn’t be a crime because you didn’t actually do it?
It’s negligence that had high potential to cause injury or loss of life, should be free tyres, free work to make sure nothing is damaged and an apology, that almost covers it...

 

[HOGG]

I think the op has had the best outcome. He happy. Company happy. Wee all sing together, bom bom

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Evil Derboy]

That’s insane? So in your eyes ‘attempted murder’ shouldn’t be a crime because you didn’t actually do it?
It’s negligence that had high potential to cause injury or loss of life, should be free tyres, free work to make sure nothing is damaged and an apology, that almost covers it...

There’s a difference between receiving goodwill in light of a mistake and being legally entirely to compensation.

To be entitled to compensation something has to have happened not might have happened.

Your “attempted murder” analogy doesn’t work because that’s wilful, not accidental.

 

[Bryant1998]

There’s a difference between receiving goodwill in light of a mistake and being legally entirely to compensation.

To be entitled to compensation something has to have happened not might have happened.

Your “attempted murder” analogy doesn’t work because that’s wilful, not accidental.

I get what you mean, but that had real potential for severe injury or loss of life.
The fact the garage offered a free tyre shows they know how bad it could’ve been and that they need to compensate.
As far as I know, negligence compensation can apply to potential injury or death due to it being a qualified person doing a technical job, not trying to argue with you mate just my 2p

 

[kcpism]

Hardly attempted murder...accidental death maybe

 

[Pie-eyedpiper]

Back in the 80s when I had an XR2 I called into a well known tyre dealer starting with a K in Arnold, Nottingham.
I had a near side puncture repaired and when driving out of the forecourt you're on a dual carriageway and a short uphill stretch of road.
I got about 100m off the forecourt and about 20mph when there was a sharp jolt and rear nearside dropped.
The wheel nuts hadn't been tightened at all and the brake drum was resting on the inside of the rim wrecking the wheel.
I walked back (short walk) and brought the manager out to see. He was very apologetic and sourced me a new Pepperpot wheel for the following week.
Naively in those young days that's as far as I took it. Happy because my old wheel had been kerbed anyway.

 

[Eric_RS6]

I had the same issue, but I only managed to go 100 metres before i realised something was not correct as something was knocking loudly at the rear... took it straight back and parked where i picked the car up when they said it was done. All 5 bolts were fitted but finger tight at best... their words were oh yeah sometimes they come a bit loose when driving...Never been back since. Clearly just forgot to fully tighten them.

 

[Simon]

I was on a race tuition day with the GTR a while back and one of the other drivers was having some handling issues that turned into clunking. We had a look in the pits but couldn’t see anything wrong so ended up having it recovered to a specialist.

turns out when he had new tyres fitted the day before they hadn’t tightened the wheel nuts, could have been very nasty. It happens more often than you might think, I always ask at any garage have you torqued the wheels up now if they have had them off.

 

[Buxton2901]

Problem is its almost impossible to prove as as soon as you drive away from the garage, you or someone else could have interfered with the wheel nuts.

Its the same as an mot, its only valid until you drive away.

 

[DieselJake]

Seems quite a low level of respect expecting free tyres due to loose wheels after 50 miles.

If in doubt use the nut behind the steering wheel to make sure they're tight.

 

[AudiUser01]

Every time I've had new tyres from BlackCircles they've always advised me to check the wheel nuts after 50 miles or so.
I carry a big torque wrench in the boot just for my wheels as I hate those crappy wrench things supplied with the space saver.

Every time I've checked the wheel nuts after new tyres nearly every single nut has always needed tightening to the correct torque. One time after new tyres I had only driven 4 miles home and lost a wheel nut on the way! Too many shops just use an impact gun to put them back on without a torque wrench in sight. Bad times.

As much as I totally get OP's anger at what could have been. Because I would have been upset too over what should and could be so easily avoided. When it comes to serious life or death stuff like the wheels being attached to the car. I would never take anyones word for it. Mechanic or not. You can tell me till the cows come home that they are fine but until I check it myself. I'm having none of it.